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Dad ready to run 10 marathons in 10 days

A FATHER-of-four is preparing to run 10 marathons in 10 days in a bid to raise money for vulnerable young people.

Charles Cowling will start his challenge today and will run the same 26.2-mile course every day until Sunday, May 18.

The 51-year-old, who is an actuary working for JLT in Manchester and London and lives in Oakwood Drive, Markland Hill, has only ever run one marathon before.

Mr Cowling said: “I have been nervous and wary and all my joints and muscles hurt in the same way your teeth start to hurt when you are awaiting an examination from the dentist.

“My wife Becky is a paediatrician working at the Halliwell Health Centre and she thinks I am mad and acting against all sensible medical advice.”

He will be running the Brathay 10 in 10 challenge which will involve running around Windemere in The Lake District.

The route, which takes in the sites of Hawkshead, Bowness-on-Windemere and Ambleside has been labelled as “an epic challenge that will require epic strength of mind” by television survival expert Bear Grylls.

All money raised will be split between the Brathay Trust, which aims to improve the life chances of disadvantaged and vulnerable children as well as the Company of Actuaries Charitable Trust.

Friends, family and businesses have already helped raise £13,455 and the JLT Group is promising to match the final total pound for pound meaning Mr Cowling is not far off his £30,000 target.

During the race, he will live on site at Brathay Trust’s residential care in Ambleside where he and 14 other runners will be supported by nutritional, physio and other experts as well as Brathay staff and volunteers.

Mr Cowling added: “I'm not an elite athlete, I'm not even a serious runner and this is going to be tough.

“Any support I get is hugely appreciated and it will be doubled by my employer JLT who are kindly promising to match all donations pound for pound.”